TORONTO, March 18 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index
closed higher on Wednesday for a seventh straight session after
a surprise move by the U.S. Federal Reserve to revive the
battered U.S. economy bolstered investor confidence.

The U.S. central bank said it would spend up to $300
billion to buy long-term U.S. Treasuries for the first time in
four decades. Investors saw the program as a fresh way of
promoting financial stability, raising hope for an earlier
recovery by Canada's largest trading partner. [ID:nN18343369]

The news sparked an instant rally in North American equities
and brought Toronto's key index to its highest close since Feb.
13. Earlier in the session, it had fallen by as much as 3
percent.

The massive spending program also stirred concern over
inflation, boosting bullion prices along with a handful of
gold-mining shares.

Among the issues that led the TSX higher, Barrick Gold Corp
ABX.TO jumped 8.85 percent to close at C$39.85, while
Goldcorp G.TO ended up 9.18 percent at C$39.60.
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